Are Schnoodles Hypoallergenic? [Is This Breed Known To Shed?]

If you are thinking of adding a dog to your home, then you will want to know how much fur they are likely to shed around it. It’s not fun to have to routinely clear it up; nor is it ideal for those of us that are allergy sufferers who have reactions that can be quite severe. Knowing if your dog is hypoallergenic is essential before bringing them home. But what about Schnoodles in this respect? I spent a lot of time researching the coat of this breed and finding out exactly what new owners could expect. I will be sharing all that I found here today.

So, are Schnoodles hypoallergenic? Schnoodles are considered hypoallergenic, making them a great breed for allergy sufferers. While they do shed, they only do so occasionally and only in small amounts. Constant grooming, including regular brushing, will help to minimize shedding further and prevent painful tangles and matting in the coat.

In fact, Schnoodles were initially bred for allergy sufferers in mind.

Schnoodles are a mix of the Schnauzer and the Poodle, which means that they can inherit characteristics of either parent.

This includes their coat.

Let’s now take a closer look at why Schnoodles are considered hypoallergenic along with their shedding tendencies.

This will help to see if they are a good fit for those with allergies, and what can be expected regarding their grooming needs.

What Makes A Dog Hypoallergenic?

Strictly speaking, no dog is entirely hypoallergenic. It is true that somebody with severe allergies could have an allergic reaction to any dog.

However, the likelihood of an allergic reaction will vary between dogs dramatically. There are distinct differences between dogs, their coats, and how people will therefore respond to them.

If we take the definition of Hypoallergenic, “having little likelihood of causing an allergic response”, we get a better understanding of why and how dogs are considered.

Essentially, there are some breeds that are known to cause fewer allergy symptoms than others.

But what causes allergic responses to dogs in the first place? Does this have anything to do with a dog’s tendency to shed fur?

Interestingly, it is not the fur of dogs that causes an allergic response.

Instead, allergies are triggered by a specific protein that is found in a dog’s urine, saliva, and dander (dead skin cells). This protein, an allergen, can easily cling to the hair/coat of a dog.

So, a dog that sheds less, will spread fewer allergens around the house.

Some breeds, including the Schnoodle, are known to shed very little.

They, therefore, release considerably fewer allergies into the atmosphere. Any allergens that are products stick to the coat instead of being airborne.

Taking it one step further, both of the Schnoodles parents, the Schnauzer and the Poodle do not produce much dander.

Additionally, the proteins that they produce in the dander, saliva, and urine are actually different than in other breeds; and do not provoke an allergic response in allergy suffers.

These proteins are handled and tolerated much better by even those with a higher tendency to react.

Schnoodles are therefore considered to be hypoallergenic for all of these reasons. They have a specific hair-like quality of their coat.

This is true for all Schnoodles; regardless of the coat in which they inherit; and it can vary quite dramatically. It can be either long and wavy or short and tightly curled. It may be wirier or it may be softer.

Either way, the Schnoodle coat is always hypoallergenic.

The difference in style depends entirely on the genes that are inherited by the Schnauzer/Poodle parental breeds.

This is also true of the color; being either grey, black, silver, apricot, brown, or a mixture of any of those colors.

So, a Schnoodle is not likely to set off somebody with allergies.

However, there are some practical things that allergy sufferers should do to ensure they do not have symptoms or reactions to a dog:

• Choose a small dog over a large one; as they naturally shed far less.
• Do not give your dog access to your bedroom, bed, or sofa.
• Bathe your dog weekly to remove dead flakes of skin (dander),
• Opt for carpet-free flooring, or wash your carpet frequently

Do Schnoodles Shed?

Schnoodles are considered to be low-shedders; however, they will and do shed. With that said, you should not expect to find large piles of hair on your floor or furniture.

Generally, how much hair a dog sheds depends on their genes, and which ones are the more dominant.

Thankfully, both the Schnauzer and Poodle are light shedders resulting in a Schnoodle hybrid that equally sheds little.

In fact, the Schnoodle was first bred in the 1980s with allergy sufferers in mind.

Like most other dogs, Schnoodles are known to shed more as the seasons change. This often happens at the end of summer, when temperatures begin to drop, or in spring when it starts to get warm.

During these seasonal periods, you will find more hair collects when you brush your dog. Apart from these seasonal changes in temperature, a Schnoodle is unlikely to ever properly shed.

Long-haired Schnoodles tend to shed more than the shorter-haired variant, although neither coat type sheds very much.

You cannot tell at birth which coat your pup is likely to inherit, but generally, you can get a rough idea by looking at the parental breeds and talking to the breeder.

Either way, it’s not an issue where shedding is concerned.

If you find that your Schnoodles sheds more than usual, health reasons may be at play. The most common reasons are likely to be skin irritation.

A poor diet can also cause extra shedding.

Dogs in heat can shed slightly more as well as pregnant and lactating dogs, although this usually returns to normal once pups are weaned.

If you were to get a Schnoodle and notice any abnormal shedding, then you would of course need to take them to a vet.

They would be able to examine your dog and identify what the cause may be; providing you with suggestions and recommendations to help minimize it to the breeds standards.

So, if you’re looking for a small dog that will not require you to vacuum multiple times per day along with the need to routinely lint-roll your clothes, a Schnoodle could be just what you are looking for.

Grooming Your Schnoodle

Regular and effective grooming is very important to keep a Schnoodles coat in optimal condition.

Brushing is very important and doing so comes along with a range of benefits to the coat.

It’s also an excellent opportunity to look for any injuries, cuts, patches of dry skin, etc.

Frequent brushing will help you to remove tangles and knots which can be painful to your dog, and also keep any potential and small amount of shedding at bay.

It also increases blood circulation and distributes natural oils throughout the coat; ensuring hair remains healthy and grows out optimally.

You must pay extra attention to dogs with tight curls as their coat tends to get knotted very easily if not brushed regularly.

It’s also important to be gentle, brushing should be a pleasant experience for them and the longer a coat is left and knots take hold, the more painful it is likely to be for them.

For this reason, you might also consider having your dog professionally clipped every six to eight weeks.

This safely removes dead hair, prevents matting, and keeps the coat looking its best. Not to mention that it keeps hair out of a dog’s eyes!

A dog’s face must be kept clean from debris like dust and food particles, as this exacerbates knotting. Beards and whiskers must also be kept clean.

When owning a Schnoodle, it is important to consider the grooming equipment used, as it needs to be appropriate and safe for use on their unique coat.

Learn More > How To Groom A Schnoodle [Owners Step By Step How To Guide]

Brushes

Slicker Brush

A slicker brush is considered the best type and style for the Schnoodle, and other hybrid-poodle breeds.

It safely and effectively removes matting and is much more comfortable on the dog.

Nonetheless, a slicker brush should still be used carefully as it is designed to reach deeply into the skin through the coat. This brush works to remove any knots under the surface.

Slicker brushes are great to use every day, and owners find that by using it more often the better the condition of the coat and the easier it is to maintain.

This Amazon Best Seller is exactly the one you would want to get.

Learn why: Best Brush For Schnoodle [My #1 Pick And Buyers Guide]

Metal Tooth Comb

This brush combs through the hair efficiently once all the knots are removed. You would move onto this type of comb after using a slicker brush.

If your dog has very tight curls, you should use a wide-tooth comb on the coat. This is generally more comfortable.

Bristle Brush

Schnoodles have very sensitive skin, which means having a brush with natural bristles will be comfortable for them.

Bristle brushes help to distribute the natural oils evenly on your dog’s coat and keep it looking shiny and smooth.

Bathing

Bathing is best done infrequently and only when necessary. It’s not actually ideal to bathe a dog to control dander and dry skin.

Too much bathing can actually lead to dry and itchy skin which can result in more dander.

Therefore you should only bathe once per month, or as and when they get dirty, smelly or outside or lay in something they shouldn’t!

Doggie Shampoo

You must make sure that you only ever use a shampoo specially designed for dogs when deciding to bathe your dog. This will help to moisturize the skin and help your dog’s coat to replenish its natural oils.

This is an excellent brand of doggie shampoo to use on any dog breed from Amazon.

While doggie shampoo may be more expensive than brands for humans, it is worth it for your dog’s skin and coat.

Finally

How much and how often a dog sheds can be off-putting for many people, especially for allergy sufferers.

Thankfully, the Schnoodle is a light shedder. The curly-haired dogs tend to shed marginally less than their smooth-haired counterparts.

However, either coat type is low-shedding, and it is impossible to tell at birth what coat your pup is likely to have.

Either way, it’s not a significant issue. No breed is entirely hypoallergenic, but the Schnoodle comes very close.

Shedding is a non-issue with the Schnoodle. Aside from being great pets for allergy sufferers, Schnoodles are great for families with children.

Both the poodle and Schnauzer are intelligent and a joy to be around, so it makes sense that the Schnoodle should have the same personality traits as his parents.

Children of all ages will adore this dog’s loving and witty ways.

This dog thrives in structured living situations and will accept training and instruction like a champion. Overall, the Schnoodle is an incredible dog that will be a loyal companion in your home for many years.

The popularity of these dogs has exploded exponentially in the last few years; its no surprise why!